The Baker Mayfield hysteria is only going to ramp up as he continues his transition into NFL life. In his first preseason game, Mayfield looked like a seasoned pro, completing 11 passes on 20 attempts for 212 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a first down.

Mayfield would undoubtedly enjoy having a Pro Bowler to find in the secondary and free agent Bryant could get in on the ground floor of the new era of the Cleveland Browns.

All the speculation has spurred BetOnline to open a line on whether Dez Bryant will be a member of the Browns on Week 1.

Will Dez Bryant be a Member of the Browns in Week 1?

For more on the Dez Bryant sweepstakes, take a look at Stephen Campbell’s article below.

Archived Articles

The Dallas Cowboys made some major noise in April when it was announced the team was cutting longtime wide receiver Dez Bryant, and online sportsbooks are gearing up to project where the new free agent will play in the 2018 NFL season.

The Cleveland Browns are -150 favorites to sign Dez Bryant.

Bovada has updated its odds on Bryant’s next landing spot, with the Cleveland Browns leading the pack at -150. The New York Giants (+450), Tennessee Titans (+500), Houston Texans (+800) and Washington Redskins (+1200) are perceived as the next likeliest franchises to sign the Oklahoma State product. When the odds were first released in mid-April, the Browns weren’t even available to wager on.

Bryant was set to make $12.5 million and count $16.5 million against the salary cap in the upcoming campaign, and it’s quite clear the Cowboys viewed that price to be too steep. With the move, “America’s Team” will save $8.5 million against the cap. Bryant told the ’Boys late in the 2017 season that he would not accept a pay cut while playing in his eighth year with the club.

It’s no secret Bryant has lost a step in the last few years, but he’s still a quality wideout at 29. After signing a five-year, $70-million contract in 2015, Bryant failed to record a 1,000-yard season due to a litany of injuries. He did participate in every game last year, however, and recorded 69 catches for 838 yards and six touchdowns.

Where will Dez go?

The most interesting anecdote about the news of Bryant’s departure from Dallas was his immediate reaction. The Texas native reportedly told the Cowboys brass on his way out of the meeting that he would see them twice this year, which implies his intention to sign with another team in the Cowboys’ division, the NFC East. “I won’t say any teams, but being in the division, that’s a huge possibility,” Bryant told NFL Network. “That’s a huge possibility. That’s something that I want.”

The silence on where Bryant will play has been deafening since the Cowboys cut him, but the Browns are the favorite to land him for a reason. Bryant and the Browns reportedly have mutual interest, which has seemingly become heightened after news broke that longtime troubled wide receiver Josh Gordon wouldn’t be with the team for the start of training camp due to personal reasons. On August 5 the team traded wide receiver Corey Coleman to the Buffalo Bills, leading many people to believe the organization is clearing space for Bryant.

Cleveland’s roster overhaul in the offseason has many pundits projecting them to be a vastly improved club, and adding Bryant to the mix would provide a veteran presence to the young group. The Browns likely weren’t Bryant’s first choice when he parted ways with the Cowboys, but with the general lack of interest surrounding him, he may not have many options left at this point.

Where do you think Bryant will end up? Have your say in the comment section below. For more football-related betting info, head over to OddsShark’s NFL page.

The handicapping, sports odds information contained on this website is for entertainment purposes only. Please confirm the wagering regulations in your jurisdiction as they vary from state to state, province to province and country to country. Using this information to contravene any law or statute is prohibited. The site is not associated with nor is it endorsed by any professional or collegiate league, association or team. OddsShark does not target an audience under the age of 18. Please visit gambleaware.co.uk or gamcare.org.uk for guidelines on responsible gaming.